Labeling-machine.



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LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED /1PI1.24. 1905. IIENEWED M1111. 17, 1915.

Patented July 3, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEETI M m WIE I messe-5:

N. MUSLAR.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1905. RENEWED III/III. 17,1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mm/Wyk Patented July 3, 1917.

Na MUSLAR.

LABELING MACHINE. 4 APPLICATION FILEID APR. 24, 'ISO- RENEWED MAR. 17| I9I5. LQSLGS@ Patentedlply, 1917.

'sHEETQ-SHEET 3.

N. NIUSLAR.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR-24.1905. RENEWEDMAR. 17.1915- LLM Patented July 3, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WLf/QMw: E Usew. y 475 it/@95 N. MUSLAR.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPucArloN man APR.24,1905. RENEWED MAR.17.1915.

N. MUSLAR.

LABELING MACHINE.y

APPucATmN 1111511 111111.24. 1905. RENEWED MAR. 17.1915.

Patented July 3, 1917.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

iur .sans arena entre.

NELSON MUSLAR, OF VTORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO CLARENCE R. STREETERLOF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

` LABELING-MACHINE.

Application filed April 24, 1905, Serial No. 257,026. Renewed March 17, 1915.

T0 all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NELSON MUsLAn, a citizen of the United States, residing at llforcester, in the county of lVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Labeling-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines which are used for pasting labels onto cylindrical objects, and especially to machines for pasting labels onto bottles.

The object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly strong, compact and cleanly labeling machine in which. the bottle is held stationary whilethe label is being applied thereto, and the parts are operated with a straight rising and falling motion.

To these ends, this invention consists of the labeling-machine and of the combinations of parts therein as hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in thc claims at the end of this speciiication.

In the accompanying six sheets of drawings,

.Figure 1 is a side view of a labeling machine constructed according to this invention with the glue reservoir partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a front view ofthe machine, the protecting plate which also serves as a pump operatingcam being removed.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the protecting plate which also serves as the pump operating cam. 1

Fig. fl is an enlarged plan view of 'the label-box.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the ratchet connections supporting the guide bracket for the label follower.

6 is a detail view showing in dotted lines the way a pile ofV labels are carried in the 4label-box.

Fig. 7 is a front view of thelabel-boX partly broken away.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the glue circulating pump partlybrolen away.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the pumpvalve.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the pump piston.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing inlet `and outlet passages to the pump cylinder.V

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of one of the pickers showing the glue perforations therein.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 3, 191'?.

sei-iai No. 15,043.

Fig. 13 is an end View of one of the pick- GFS.

Fig. 1l is an enlarged view partly broken away of part of the machine showing espceially the stopping and starting connections therefor.

Fig. 15 is a detail view of the brake for stopping the parts.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the roller clutch for connecting the driving pulley to the main shaft.

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the stopping piece which coperates with the tightening plate of the roller clutch.

Fig. 18 is a detail view of the connections from the main sha-ft of the machine.

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary view showing the normal position of the parts when a bottle is first inserted into the machine.

Fig. 2O is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the wipers spread apart to clear the label-box and the pickers raised to take the bottom label in the label-box.

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the label brought down and clamped onto the bottle, and

Fig. Q2 is a view similar to Fig. 19 showing the action of the wipers in smoothing out the label around the bottle.

rlChe especial object of my present invention is to provide a power-driven bottlelabeling machine of such simple construction that it can be readily kept clean, while, at the same time, it willoperate at high speed with great efficiency, and can be sold at much less cost than the more complicated labeling machines which are now used.

ln the labeling machine forming the subject matter of this application for patent, the labels are held in an open bottomed label-box, the machine being designed to use successive labels from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label-box, so that as the labels are used up the pile of labels will settle by gravity, or by the use of a light spring-follower to present succeeding labels in position at the bottom of the label-box.

The bottle is preferably kept stationary, and the mechanism for taking the successive labels, applying the same to the bottle, and smoothing the same around the bottle comprises a pair of pickers to which glue may be supplied in any ordinary way, preferably by a pumping system acting through closed pipes or passages, and a pair of wiping arms which smooth the labels around the bottle.

The pickers and wiping arms are mounted in a vertically movable frame, and the wiping arms are spread apart or opened vby cams or otherwise to clear the label-box.

When a label is brought down into engagement with the bottle it is held in place by a clamping arm.

lVhen a glue pump is used for circulating the glue through closed pipes or passages, the glue-pump itself is preferably mounted on the vertically movable frame, the up and down movement of the pump cylinder being employed for operating the pump-valve as well as the pump-piston.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a detail description of a labeling machine constructed according to this invention, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, my labeling machine preferably comprises a main pedestal or casting F.

The pedestal F at its upper end is extended forward, and fastened in the pedestal F are two vertical pins 25. Mounted on the vertical pins 25 as shown most `clearly in Fig. 4, is an angle piece 26. The angle piece 26 serves as the support for the labelbox.

As shown in Fig. 4, a shaft 27 is journaled in one branch of the angle piece 26. Fastened on the shaft 27 is a lrnurled handwheel 28.

The shaft 27 is provided with right and left-hand screw-threads, and screwed onto the right and left-hand screw-threads respectively are nuts 29 and 30. Extending from the nuts 29 and 30 respectively are arms 31 and 32 which carry the end plates of the label box. y

Journaled in the other branch of the angle piece 26 is a shaft 33. Fastened on the shaft 33 is a kuurled hand-wheel 34. The shaft 33 is provided with right and left-hand screw-threads, and screwed onto the right and left-hand screw-threads of the shaft 33 respectively are nuts 35 and 36. Extending from the nuts 35 and 36 respectively are arms 37 and 38 which carry the side plates of the label-box.

By means of this construction it will be seen that I have provided a label-box comprising four plates which are mounted upon two adjusting shafts which can be turned to vary the size of the label-box, the center of the label box remaining fixed. The label box as thus constructed is preferably used without bottom, the labels being supported by turned in projections 48, as shown in Fig. 6.

In the use of this bottomless label-box the pile of labels may be allowed to settle by gravity as successive labels are pulled out from the bottom of the box, or the pile of .labels may be forced down by a weight.

In practice I have employed a light follower 41 having a spring-pressed plunger 42 which is guided in one arm of a bracket 44. The other arm of the bracket 44 fits on to an upright piece or pin 45 and part of its weight may be supported thereon by means of ratchet teeth and a pawl 46, as shown in Fig. 5.

Coperating with the bottomless labelbox is a verticallymovable frame which carries the pickers for taking the labels from the label-box, and the wipers for smoothing the labels around the bottles.

Secured in the casting F are two posts or uprights 50, and mounted on the posts or upright-s 501 is the frame 51 for carrying the pickers and wipers before referred to. The frame 51 is provided at its upper end with two side arms 52 and a front arm 53.

Journaled in each of tlie'side arms 52 is a rock-shaft 54. Secured on the front end of each rock-shaft 54 is an arm 55 having a wiping jaw at its upper end. On the rear end of eachV rock-shaft 54 is an arm 56 having a pin or stud engaging a grooved cam 57 for opening the wipers to clear the label-box when the frame is raised.

Journaled in the` front arm 53 of the frame, and as shown in Fig. 2, are the picker arms 58 each having a picker 59 at its upper end. The picker arms 58 are normally drawn together by a spring 60.

Adjustably secured to the pedestal of the machine and arranged between the paths of the pickers and wipers isa bottle rest 61.

The pickers which take the successive labels from the bottom of the label-box are also intended to supply glue or paste to the underside of each label. Vhen this is done by a circulation of glue through closed pipes or passages the glue is preferably forced up through the picker-arms 58, and a glue-pump is preferably carried by the vertically movable frame.

The construction of the glue-pump preferably employed is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 8.

As shown in this figure, the pump-cylin der 63 is secured on the frame 51V. Y

Mounted in the upper end of the pumpcylinder 63 is a turning valve 64. Mounted in the bottom of the pump-cylinder 63 is a pump-piston 69. The inlet and outlet ports of the glue pump are shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 11.

The pump cylinder is provided with an inlet passage 65, and with an outlet passage 66 branching from which are the side outlets 67 and 68. Y

`When the pump cylinder is being lifted, the pump-valve is in the position illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 11, so that the V inlet port will be open. lhen the pump-cylinder is descending, the pump-valve is in theposition shown by full lines in Fig. 11.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, the pump inlet is connected by a pipe to the bottom of a glue reservoir 71, while the pump outlets are connected by pipes 72 to the passages extending up through the picker-arms The pump-valve and pump-piston preferably receive their .respective motions from the raising and lowering of the pump-cylinder.

As shown in Fig. 8, an arm 73 is secured upon the stem of the pump-valve.

Fastened in the arm 73 is a pin 74 which runs up and down in a cam groove in the cover-plate 82, which is shown most clearly in Fig. 3. This cover-plate serves to proteet the front of the machine as well as to serve as the cam for the pump-valve.

The pump piston 69 is preferably keyed into the cylinder or held from turning therein. Projecting down from the pump-piston is a stem 78 which engages a stop-screw 79 when the pump approaches the lower end of its travel. This stops the downward travel of the pump-piston, and causes the forcing action of the piston to supply glue to the pickers when the parts are down in substantially normal position.

Secured on the stem of the pump piston 69 is an arm 80 running on a guide-pin 81 'which extends down from a lug 82.

Then the pump is near the upper end of its travel, the arm 80 will engage the lug 82 stopping the travel of the piston ancL giving the piston its drawing in action to draw in a fresh supply of glue from the reservoir.

The glue which is thus forced through the pump and circulated through closed pipes or passages is preferably caused to eXude through small substantially capillary openings, two or more rows of which may be provided in the face of each picker as shown in Fig. 12.

Any desired form of gearing may be used for raising the movable frame of my labeling machine, and for operating the label clamping mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 14:, 83 designates the main shaft of the machine. Secured on the main shaft 83 is a collar 84 and carried by the collar 84k is a cranlearm 85 connected by a pitman 86 to the frame 51. Also carried by the collar 84 is a cam 90 for raising a vertically movable slide 91.

The vertically movable slide 91 at its upper end engages a bell-crank lever 92 which is normally held back by a spring 93.

Carried by the other arm of the bellcrank lever 92 is a clamp 94: which serves as a clamp for holding the label onto the bottle while it is being wiped or smoothed by the wipers.

Power may be applied to the machine in any desired way, and any ordinary stopping and starting connections may be used. In

practice l prefer to employ stopping and starting devices controlled by putting a bottle into place to receive its label.

As shown in Fig. 14, 95 designates a starting slide, and adjustably fastened in the front end of the slide 95 is a push plate 96 which can be engaged by the rear end of a bottle.

The slide 95 atits rear end engages the upper' arm of a bell-crank lever 97. The lower arm 98 of the bell-crank lever is fitted between lugs or abutments 99 upon a stop piece 100. The stop piece 100 is carried by two studs 101 which lit loosely into the pedestal ofthe machine, and the stoppiece is normally pressed rearwardly by a spring 102.

Carried by the stop-piece 100 is a striking face 103 which is normally engaged by a pin projecting from the tightening plate 104i of ay roller clutch. The tiglitening-plate 104A is provided with separating pieces 105 which fit between the rolls R of the roller clutch, one section of the roller clutch as 10G is carried by a driving pulley 87 which is loosely mounted on the main shaft 83, and may be driven by belt as shown in Fig. 1. The other section 107 of the roller clutch is carried by the shaft 83.

By means of this construction when a bottle is inserted into the machine, the stoppiece will be withdrawn and a spring 114C will turn the tightening plate of the roller clutch so that power will be imparted 'to the shaft 83.v If the bottle is withdrawn when the wipers have passed down, as hereinafter described, the stop-piece will return to position and will stop the operation.

lf desired a brake may be employed for holding the parts in normal position when the clutch is thrown out of engagement. For example, as shown in Fig. 15, a brakeblock 108 may be adjustably pressed into engagement with an enlargement of the shaft 83 by means of a screw 109 mounted in a bridge-piece 110. The amount of friction given this brake can be regulated by setting the screw 109.

rEhe operation of selecting a label from the label-boX and applying the same to a bottle is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 19 to 22 inclusive.

In F ig. 19 the parts occupy their normal position when a bottle is inserted iut-o the machine. This starts the machine into operation by means of the roller-clutch before described, and as the parts are lifted, the wipers will be swung outwardly to clear the label-box, and the pickers will engage the bottom label in the label-box, as shown in Fig. 20. When the parts again descend, the label will be carried down onto the bottle, and will be clamped thereon by the clamp 94, as shown in F ig. 21. The continued descent of the parts causes the wipers to smooth the label and n'ra p the same around the bottle as shown in Fig. 22.

As soon as the clamp is released, the bottle may be removed, and the parts will stop in their normal positions.

rIhe up and down motion of the parts may also be utilized for operating the glue-pump, as before described, and in a completo machine as thus constructed, it will be seen that I have provided an exceedingly simple and direct-acting bottle labeling machine which has the advantage of holding the bottle stationary during the entire operation; which machine can be run at a high rate of speed; and which is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction.

I am aware that many changes may be made in practising my invention by those who are skilled in the art without departing from the scope thereof as expressed in the claims.

I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the construction I have herein shown and described, but what I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label-box, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms pivoted in the frame, one pair of arms Carrying paste-applying pickers for selecting one label at a time from the bottom of a pile of labels in the label-box, and the other pair of arms carrying wipers for wrapping the labels around bottles, and camoperated means for separating the wipers to clear the label-box when the frame is lifted.

2. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label-box, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms pivoted in the frame, one' pair of arms carrying paste applying pickers for selecting one label. at

a time from the bottom of a pile of labels contained in the label box, and the other pair of arms carrying wipers for smoothing the labels onto bottles, and grooved cams for spreading` the wipers to pass up on opposite sides of the label box when the frame is lifted.

3. In a labeling machine, the combinatifm of an open-bottomed label box, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms movably mounted on the frame, one pair of said arms carrying pickers for selecting one label at a time from the pile of labels in said box, a spring for normally dra-wing together said picker arms, cam operated means for separating said pickers when they pass a bottle to which a label is to be applied, and means for moving the frame downwardly past the bottle, the other pair of arms carrying wipers for smoothing the labels onto the bottle as the frame moves downwardly.

4. In a labeling machine, the combination pickers and actuated by the movement there- Y of for supplying the glue through said holes.

6. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label box, a pair of vertically movable pickers for selecting one label at a time from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label box, each of said pickers having minute holes for the glue, and a pump carried by said pickers and actuated by the movement thereof.

7. Inl a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label box, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms pivotedV in the frame, one pair of arms carrying pickers for selecting one label at a time from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label box, and the other pair of arms carrying wipers for smoothing the labels onto bottles, and a swinging clamp which is normally swung back out of the way to permit the label to be carried down from the label box and applied to a bottle, and means for operating the clamp to swing the same forward and hold the label in place kwhile being applied.

8. In a labeling machine, the combination of a fixed bottle resti, an open-bottomed label box above the bottle rest, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms carried by the frame, one pair of arms having pickers for selecting one label at a time from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label box, and the other pair of arms carrying wipers. for smoothing the labels onto bottles, and a swinging clamp for holding the labels in place while being applied.

9. In a labelingl machine, the combination of a fixed rest, a vertically movable fra-me, means carried by said frame for applying labels to an article on the rest and smoothing the labels thereon, a pivoted clamp adapted to hold a label on an article on said rest, a cam-operated slide for operating said clamp, and means for operating the slide.

10. In a labeling machine, the combination ofv a fixed rest, Va pivoted clamp adjacent to said rest, a movable frame having means for applying labels to articles on said rest, and a cam operated slide for forcing said clamp into position for holding a label on an article on said rest.

11. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label box comprising two side plates and two end plates, means for adjusting the label-box to receive different sized labels while the center of the label box remains fixed, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms pivoted in the frame, one pair of arms having pickers for removing one label at a time from the pile of labels in the label box, the other pair of arms carrying wipers for applying the labels to bottles and cam-operated meansV for spreading the wipers so that they will pass up on opposite sides of the label box when the frame is lifted.

12. In a labeling machine, the combination of an adjustable label-box comprising side plates, a shaft having right and lefthand screw-threads for adjusting the sideplates, end plates, a shaft having right and left-hand screw-threads for adjusting the end plates, said parts being combined so that the label-box can be adjusted to receive different sized labels while the center of the label-box remains xed, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms pivoted in the frame, one pair of arms carrying pickers for removing one label at a time from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label box, the other pair of arms carrying wipers for applying the labels to bottles,rand camoperated means for separating the wipers so that they will pass up on opposite sides of the label box.

13. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label box, a vertically movable frame, a pair of pickers mounted in the frame for taking one label at a time from the 4bottom of a pile of labels in the label box, a pump mounted on the vertically movable frame, and means for actuating the pump from the vertical travel thereof to supply glue to the pickers.

14. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label box, a vertically movable frame, a pair of pickers mounted in the frame for taking one label at a time from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label box, a pump cylinder mounted on the vertically movable frame, a turning pump-valve for connectingl the pump-cylinder alternately with passages leading to the pickers and to a supply passage, and means for turning the valve operated by the vertical motion of the pumpcylinder.

15. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottomed label box, a vertically movable frame, a pair of pickers mounted in the frame for taking one label at a time from the bottom vof a pile of labels in the label box, a pump-cylinder mounted in the vertically movable frame, a turning pump-valve for connecting the pump-cylinder alternately with passages leading to the pickers and to a supply passage, a reciprocating pump-piston, and means for operating the pump-valve and pump-piston from the vertical travel of the pump-cylinder.

16. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open bottomed label-box, a vertically movable frame, a pair of pickers for selecting one label at a time from the bottom of a pile of labels in the label box, a pump mounted in the vertically movable frame and having a turning valve and reciprocating piston, a curved front plate having a cam groove for turning the pump valve as the pump-cylinder moves up and down, and stops for limiting the travel of the pump piston, whereby the pump is operated by the vertical movement of the pump-cylinder.

17. In a labeling machine, the combination of a movable frame, a picker movable therewith a pump mounted in the frame and having a turning valve and reciproca-ting piston, a. curved front plate having a cam-groove for turning the pump valve as the pump cylinder reciprocates, and stops for limiting the travel of the pump piston, whereby the pump is operated by the movement of the pump cylinder.

18. In a labeling machine, the combination of a vertically movable frame, pickers pivotally mounted in the frame for taking one label at a time from a pile of labels in the label box, a main shaft having a crank-andpitman connection with the frame, a loosely mounted driving pulley, a roller clutch for connecting the driving pulley to the main shaft, and means controlled by putting a bottle into the machine for connecting the driving pulley to the main shaft through the roller clutch.

19. In a labeling machine, the combination of a fixed bottle rest, an open-bottomed label box above the bottle rest, means for adjusting the label box to receive different sized labels while the center of the label box remains fixed, a vertically movable frame, two pairs of arms pivoted in the frame, one pair of arms carrying paste applying pickers for selecting one label at a time from the bottom of the pile of labels in the label box, the other pair of arms having wipers for applying the labels to bottles, means for separating the wipers to pass up on opposite sides of the label box when the frame is lifted, a swinging clamp for holding the label in place on a bottle while the wipers are smoothing the same, a` pump mounted in the vertically movable frame, means for operating the pump from the vertical motion thereof to supply glue to the pickers, a main shaft having a crank-and-pitman connection with the vertically movable frame, and a cam connection for operating the label clamp, a loosely mounted driving pulley, a roller clutch, and means controlled by putting a bottle into the machine to operate the roller clutch to connect the driving pulley with the main shaft.

20. YIn a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottom label box, a pair of hollow perforated pickers for taking the bottom label from the pack in the label-box through the open bottom of said label box, means carried by said pickers and actuated by the movement thereof for supplying glue through said pickers, a clamp for holding each label in place while being applied to the bottle and a pair of wipers for smoothing the label onto the bottle.

2l. In a labeling machine, the combination, of an open-bottom label box, a pair of hollow perforated pickers for taking the bottom label from the pack in the label box through the open bottom of said label box, a pump carried bysaid pickers and actuated by the movement thereof for supplying glue through said pickers and a pair of wipers for smoothing the label onto the bottle.

22. In a labeling machine, the combination of an open-bottom label box, a pair of hollouT perforated pickers for taking the bottom label from the pack in the label box through the open bottom of said label box, a pump carried by said pickers and actuated by the movement thereof for supplying glue through said pickers, a clamp for holding each label in place while being applied to the bottle and a pair of wipers for smoothing the label onto the bottle.

23. In a bottle labeling machine, the combination, of a top-charged, bottom-delivery label holder, a carrier or support therefor that act in conjunction -with the bottomV of said label-holder for adhesively taking labels, one at a time, therefrom, and vertically and laterally moving wipers for wiping the label down upon a bottle.

24. In a bottle labeling machine, the combination, of a top-charged, bottom-delivery label-holder, a carrier or support therefor having engaging devices whereon said labelholder is sustained in an Voverhanging position, a stationary bottle-rest upon which the bottle is primarily laid beneath said labelholder, vertically moving horizontal-faced hollow perforated paste-applying pickers that act in conjunction with the bottom of said label-holder for adhesively taking labels, one at a time, therefrom, a pump carried by said pickersv and actuated by the movement-thereof for supplying said pickers with paste and vertically and laterally moving wipers for wiping the labeldown upon a bottle.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NELSON MUST-JAR.

Witnesses: f A

PHILIP W. SoU'rI-IGATE, MARY E. REGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissionercf Patents,

'Washingtom D. C. 

